- Two iconic Citroens on offer
- Fabulous Maserati-engined right hand drive SM
- Australian-delivered 5-speed manual late model DS23 Pallas
Citroen enthusiast have a Grande Bouffe awaiting them at Shannons upcoming Spring Timed Online Auction from August 31-September 7, with two of the marque's most sophisticated and desirable models awaiting them.
Topping the carte is a sleek and magnificent 1973 Citroen SM Coupe, one of just 12,920 examples built with Maserati's 133kW 2.7 litre double overhead camshaft V6 engine under its long bonnet.
Taking over the technology mantle where the innovative D-series four cylinder Citroens left off, the SM when launched in 1970 was the first fruit of Citroen's acquisition of Maserati in 1968.
Fulfilling Citroen's vision to build a sporting version of the D-series cars, the Robert Opron-designed SM was an instant success, winning awards in Motor Trend magazine's International 1973 'Car of The Year' award.
While borrowing heavily from the innovations introduced on the D-series models, including hydro-pneumatic, self-levelling suspension and self-levelling lights that swivelled with the front wheels, the SM also introduced its novel DIRAVI (Direction à Rappel Asservi) steering, with power assisted return that required just two turns, lock to lock, delivering artificial road 'feel' while isolating the steering from road shocks.
Sadly, the oil crisis in 1973 and Citroen's bankruptcy in 1974 ultimately led to the demise of the SM, making surviving examples in good original condition increasingly valuable on the world market.
After leaving France, this 1973 Citroen SM spent its early years in San Francisco before arriving in Australia in 2000.
Here the SM was totally stripped to the bare shell and rebuilt over a two-year period by dedicated SM specialists, with a fully engineered conversion to right-hand drive included in the project.
At the same time, all the latest modifications and upgrades were incorporated into the rebuilt car and it is equipped with the desirable five-speed manual transmission.
Stylishly finished in white with a metallic mica black roof, this SM still presents superbly almost 20 years on and is showing just 80,623km on its odometer at the time of cataloguing.
Regarded as possibly the best example in Australia, it is expected to sell in the $70,000-$80,000 range.
A very worthy Citroen alternative is a desirable late series fuel injected Citroen DS23 Pallas five-speed manual sedan that has been extensively refurbished by a marque enthusiast.
As one of the 582,593 D-series four-cylinder models manufactured over a 20-year period, this exceptional DS23 was part of the final batch delivered to Australia in 1974 and was once owned by a member of the Pro Hart family, spending years at the eccentric artist's Broken Hill property.
The car benefited from more than $10,000 spent on it in 2010 and its fourth owner invested a further $30,000 over the past two years, supported by receipts,
One of the nicest DS23s to come on the open market in recent years, the Citroen will appeal to collectors at its estimated sale price of $42,000-$48,000.
To view all auction lots, visit www.shannons.com.au
To talk to a Shannons Auction Team member, call the 13 46 46, Option 6 (Auctions).